/f  It^.Xl 


i     ued  Di  cember  14,  I  908 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  PLANT   I  XDUSTRY— Circular  No.  21. 
B.  T.  GALLOWAY,  Chief  of  Bureau. 


IWRMERS'  COOPERATIVE  DEMONSTRATION 

WORK   IN  ITS  RELATION  TO 

RURAL  IMPROVEMENT. 


S.  A.   KNAPP. 

Special  Agent  in  Charge  ok  Farmers'  Cooperative 
Demonstration  Work. 


WASHINGTON  :  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE  :  1W>« 


BUREAU  OF  PLANT  INDUSTRY. 

Physiologist  and  Pathologist,  and  Chief  of  Bureau,  Beverly  T.  Galloway. 

Physiologist  and  Pathologist,  and  Assistant  chief  of  Bureau,  Albert  F.  Woods. 

Laboratory  of  riant  Pathology,  Erwin  P.  Smith,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 

Fruit  Disease  Investigations,  Merton  B.  Waite,  radiologist  in  Charge. 

Laboratory  of  Forest  Pathology,  Haven  Metcalf,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 

Cotton  and  Truck  Diseases  and  riant  Disease  Survey,  William  A.  Orton,  Pathologist  In 
Charge. 

Pathological  Collections  and  Inspection  Work,  Flora  W.  Patterson,  Mycologist  in  Charge. 

Plant  Life  History  Investigations,  Walter  T.   Swingle,   Physiologist  in  Charge. 

Cotton  Breeding  Investigations,  Archibald  D.  Shamel  and  Daniel  N.  Shoemaker,  Physi- 
ologists   in   Charge. 

Tobacco  Investigations,  Archibald  I).  Shamel,  Wightman  W.  Garner,  and  Ernest  H. 
Mathewson,    in    Charge. 

(  mil   Investigations,  Charles  I'.  Hartley,  Physiologist  in  Charge. 

Alkali  and  Drought  Resistant  Plant  [trading  Investigations,  Thomas  H.  Kearney,  Physi 
ologist    in    Charge. 

Soil  Bacteriology  and  Water  Purification  Investigations,  Karl  F.  Kellerman,  Physiolo- 
gist   in    Charge. 

Bionomic  Investigations  of  Tropical  and  Subtropical  Plants,  Orator  F.  Cook,  Bionomlst 
in    Charge. 

Drug  and  Poisonous  Plant  and  Tea  Culture  Investigations,  Kodney  H.  True,  Physiologist 
in  Charge. 

Physical  Laboratory,  Lyman  J.  Briggs,  Physicist  in  Charge. 

Crop  Technology  and  Fiber  Plant  Investigations,  Xathan  A.  Cobb,  Crop  Technologist  In 
Charge. 

Taxonomic  and   Range  Investigations,  Frederick   V.  Coville,   Botanist  in  Charge. 

Farm  Management,  William  J.  Spillman,  Agriculturist  in  Charge. 

Grain  Investigations,  Mark  Alfred  Carleton,  Cerealist  in  Charge. 

Arlington  Experimental  Farm  and  Horticultural  Investigations,  Lee  C.  Corbett,  Horticul- 
turist in  Charge. 

Vegetable   Testing   Gardens,  William   W.   Tracy,  sr.,   Superintendent. 

Sugar-Beet  Investigations,  Charles  O.  Townsend,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 

Western  Agricultural  Extension,  Curl  S.  Scofield,  Agriculturist  in  Charge. 

Dry-Land  Agriculture  Investigations,  E.  ('banning  Chilcott,  Agriculturist  in  Charge. 

Pomological  Collections,  Gustavus  1!.  Brackett,  Pomologist  in  Charge. 

Field  Investigations  in  Pomology,  William  A.  Taylor  and  G.  Harold  Powell,  Pomologists 
in    Charge. 

Experimental  Gardens  anil  Grounds,  Edward  M.  Byrnes,  Superintendent. 

Foreign  Seed  and  Plant  Introduction,  David  Fairchild,  Agricultural  Explorer   In  Charge. 

Forage  Crop  Investigations,  Charles  V.  Piper,  Agrostologist  in  Charge 

Seed  Laboratory,  Edgar  Brown,   Botanist  in  Charge. 

Grain  Standardization,  John  D.  Shanahan,  Crop  Technologist  in  Charge. 

Subtropical  Garden,  Miami,  /7«..  P.  .1.  Wester,  in  Charge. 

Plant  Introduction   Garden,   chieo,  Cat,,   W.   W.    Tracy,  jr.,   Assistant  Botanist   in  Charge. 

South  Texas  Garden,  Brownsville,  Tex.,   Kdward  C.   Green,   Pomolngisi    in   Charge. 

Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration    Work,  Seaman   A.   Knapp,   Special  Agent   in  Charge. 

Seed  Distribution  (Directed  by  Chief  of  Bureau),  Lisle  Morrison,  Assistant  in  General 
Charge. 


Editor,   .1.    E.    Rockwell. 
Chief   Clerk,  James   E.    Jones. 


[Clr.  21  ] 
2 


I-,    r    1      425. 


FARMERS'  COOPERATIVE  DEMONSTRATION  WORK 
IN  ITS  RELATION  TO  RURAL  IMPROVEMENT. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Tlio  aim  of  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration  Work  is  to 
place  :i  practical  objecl  lesson  before  the  farm  masses,  illustrating 
the  best  and  tnosl  profitable  methods  of  producing  the  standard  farm 
crops,  and  t<>  secure  such  active  participation  in  the  demonstrations 
as  to  prove  thai  the  average  fanner  can  produce  better  results. 

This  work  also  shows  thai  there  is  no  necessity  for  the  general 
deterioration  of  farm-  and  the  too  common  poverty  of  the  rural 
masses.  When  these  facts  have  been  demonstrated,  the  firsl  step  in 
the  improvement  of  rural  conditions  has  been  taken. 

THE    NECESSITY    FOR   IMPROVED    RURAL    CONDITIONS    IN    THE 

SOUTH. 

Every  substantia]  advance  in  the  progress  of  human  society  costs 
money  and  must  be  maintained  by  an  increased  earning  capacity  of 
the  masses.  Food  and  clothing  are  the  firsl  requirements.  If  the 
earning  capacity  of  a  people  is  only  sufficient  to  supply  these,  progi 
is  blocked  and  it  is  useless  to  insisl  upon  better  houses,  more  home 
comfort-,  schools,  or  any  upward  step.  The  problem  is,  Are  the  rural 
masses  unwilling  to  provide  the  betterments  which  a  progressive 
civilization  in  the  country  demand-  -comfortable  house-  with  im- 
proved home  and  farm  equipment,  good  schools  and  more  months  of 
schooling,  better  highways,  rural  free  delivery,  telephone-,  etc — or 
do  they  lack  the  mean   '. 

I'poii  the  answer  depend-  the  proper  remedy  for  existing  condi- 
tion-. If  unable,  steps  should  he  taken  to  increase  the  earning  ca- 
pacity of  the  rural  toiler-;  if  able  hut  unwilling,  the  rural  pride 
should  he  aroused  and  the  force  of  public  opinion,  and  even  law, 
brought  to  hear.  Nearly  every  num.  even  among  the  poorest,  will 
clothe  his  family  better,  improve  bis  home,  and  add  convenience-  if 
he  earn-  more.  In  the  course  of  social  investigations  in  rural  dis- 
trict- for  many  year-  the  writer  notice. 1  that  invariably  better  cloth- 
ing and  more  comfortable  homes  result  from  increased  earnings.  Go 
into  a  thou-and  tillages  in  the  South  and  a-k  the  merchant-  if  the 
poorest  colored  men  would  buy  better  clothe-  if  they  had  the  money. 
The    answer    i-:    "They    will    hu\    everything    in    sight     clothing, 

[Cir  I'M 


4  FARMERS     COOPERATIVK    DEMONSTRATION    WORK. 

watches,  buggies,  etc."  Their  expenditure  may  not  be  judicious,  but 
it  shows  a  desire  to  spend  money  to  increase  their  comforts.  Experi- 
ence will  correct  the  errors. 

The  farmer  is  necessarily  conservative,*  but  offer  him  a  genuine 
thing  and  prove  it  and  no  one  is  more  responsive.  He  will  not  accept 
what  has  not  been  fully  tested,  and  he  must  see  it  to  believe,  because 
he  has  been  frequently  deceived.  He  wants  all  that  the  best  civiliza- 
tion can  give  him  if  he  can  get  it.  Increase  the  net  income  of  the 
average  farmer  and  the  wages  of  the  rural  toiler  and  the  first  step 
necessary  to  the  uplift  of  the  rural  masses  will  have  been  taken. 
Then  the  following  results  will  be  brought  about  as  rapidly  as  time 
will  permit : 

(1)  The  emancipation  of  the  farmer  from  the  bondage  of  debt. 

(2)  The  ownership  of  more  and  better  tools,  teams,  and  stock  on 
the  farm. 

(3)  The  improvement  of  the  land. 

(4)  Better  rural  school  buildings  and  more  months  of  schooling. 

(5)  Better  highways,  rural-mail  delivery,  and  telephone  service. 
(G)   Contentment  with  the  life  of  a  farmer. 

In  the  Southern  States,  in  every  township  and  in  nearly  every 
neighborhood,  there  are  a  few  who  are  able  to  support  a  better 
civilization  than  the  one  in  which  they  live.  Finding  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  obtain  what  they  require  they  move  to  a  town  or  city.  Such 
removals  to  secure  better  social,  religious,  or  educational  advantages 
are  matters  of  common  occurrence.  But,  after  all,  this  class  forms 
the  minority,  and  it  is  the  condition  of  the  great  majority  which 
must  be  considered. 

Most  people  agree  that  rural  conditions  should  be  improved.  The 
farmer  believes  it  as  strongly  as  anyone.  The  problem  is  to  know 
where  to  begin.  Shall  we  trust  the  people  and  commence  by  increas- 
ing their  resources  or  shall  our  efforts  be  directed  to  improving  farm 
dwellings  and  home  conditions,  the  construction  of  better  highways, 
or  the  introduction  of  the  telephone,  the  rural  free  delivery  of  mails, 
the  community  library,  and  improved  social  and  religious  privileges? 

Evidently  the  answer  depends  upon  the  degree  of  advancement  of 
rural  communities.  The  remedy  that  would  help  one  might  be  utterly 
inapplicable  to  another.  For  example,  if  it  were  found  that  the 
average  farmer  in  a  rural  township  lived  in  a  house  valued  at  about 
$100,  without  any  barn  or  garden  (not  a  mere  patch  of  green,  but 
a  well-tilled  plot  that  furnished  in  the  South  sufficient  tubers,  roots, 
legumes,  melons,  and  fruit  in  their  season  for  the  family)  and  with- 
out a  cow,  a  pasture,  and  a  sufficient  supply  of  poultry,  and  if  it  were 
also  found  that  a  majority  of  the  tillers  of  the  soil  were  unable  to 
read  and  were  heavily  involved  in  debt,  it  would  be  the  height  of 
folly  to  commence  the  rural  uplift  by  establishing  a  public  library 

[Cir.  21] 


FARMERS      COOPERATIVE    DEMONSTRATION    WORK. 


or  even  a  school.  The  rural  toilers  inu>i  Brst  be  properly  nourish 
clothed,  and  housed ;  it  is  the  order  of  greatest  necessity.  The  money 
to  do  this  can  not  be  given  to  them,  and  if  it  wcii'  there  would  be 
no  uplift.  They  must  be  shown  how  to  earn  it  by  a  better  tillage 
of  the  soil  and  how  to  husband  their  earnings  by  greater  thrift. 
Lou  wages,  a  -mall  amount  of  work  accomplished  in  a  day.  ami  an 
uneconomic  use  of  resources  are  features  of  any  civilization  marked 
by  a  low  earning  capacity. 

No  mistake  is  made  more  frequently  than  to  assume  that  low  w 
are  a  result  of  oppression.      A-  a   rule  the  wages  are  determined  by 
the  accomplishment.     In  India  it  requires  from  fourteen  to  twenty- 
four  servants  to  do  the  work  of  a  small  household,  where  in  some 
portions  of  the  United  state-  two  would  do  it  better. 

Upon  a  farm  one  man  in  the  United  States  wi'th  a  good  team  ami 
modern  machinery  can  do  the  work  that  lifty  to  one  hundred  men  do 
in  many  oriental  countries.  Consequently,  when  the  latter  are  paid 
.")  to  l()  cents  a  day  they  are  paid  up  to  their  earning  capacity,  a 
capacity  that  i>  insufficient  to  sustain  a  high  civilization. 

A-  a  preliminary  step,  then,  in  this  inquiry,  let  US  determine  tin- 
present  status  of  the  rural  South  with  respect  to  the  following  items: 

(1)  The  earning  capacity  of  the  average  farm  worker  in  the  South. 

(2)  The  average  number  of  acres  in  each  State  worked  by  one  man. 

(3)  The  character  and  value  of  the   farm  buildings. 

(+)  The  value  of  implement-  and  tools  on  the  average  farm  in 
each  State. 

(5)  The  number  of  horses  or  mules  used  for  each  farm  laborer. 

(6)  The  average  number  of  milch  cows  on  each  farm. 

(7)  The  average  value  of  poultry  on  each  farm. 

(8)  The  percentage  of  farms  in  each  State  worked  by  tenants. 
The  following  tables  present  these  fact-  in  compact   form  for  the 

various  sections  of  the  United  State-. 

Tabu  I.    -Farm  conditions  in  North  Atlantic  division  of  ///<•  United  st<i/<*. 


State 

Annual 

of  each 

farm 
worker." 

Number 
worked 

by  one 

ianii. 

Value  <>f 
buildings 

farm. 

Value  of 

Imple- 
ments 

chinery 

farm. 

Number 
Of  bOT8eS 

to  eacb 
farm  la- 
borer. 

of  milch 

COWS  lo 

each 

farm. 

Value  of 
poultry 

farm. 

Percent- 
farms 

mil-  in 
each 

State. 

H'llt    

Maine 

mi.  19 
281.15 

19+ 

• 
- 

39+ 

065.  OS 
'.'-:t  62 

1,173.34 

186.81 

170.61 

1.2 

1.  1  • 

1.  167 

1 .  46 

1.7 

1.9 

1 

1.75 

6 

6.5+ 
5.1+ 

•1.7+ 

15.8+ 
33.3+ 

42    + 

■J1.3  + 
U.7  + 

12.9 

1.7 

9.6 

7.5 

1 

•J3.9 

J'. 

20.1 

m|>-!iire 

Nru  Jerw  \    

NVu    York   

Rhode  i-l^n.l 

Vermont 

- 'riu-  figures  in  this  column  are  taken  from  the  twelfth  census  report   ami  refer  spe- 
cifically to  "eacb  person,  u>  years  ■<(  age  or  over,  engaged  In  agriculture." 

i    Ji) 


6  FARMERS*    COOPERATIVE    DEMONSTRATION    WORK. 

Table  II. — Farm  conditions  in  Nortli  Central  division  of  the  United  States. 


State. 

Annual 

income 

of  each 

farm 

;worker.a 

Number 
of  acres 
worked 
by  one 
man. 

Value  of 

buildings 

on  each 

farm. 

Value  of 
imple- 
ments 
and  ma- 
chinery 
on  each 
farm. 

Number 

of  horses 
to  each 
farm  la- 
borer. 

Number 
of  milch 

rows  bo 
each 
farm. 

Value  of 

poultry 

on  each 

farm. 

Percent- 
age of 

farms 
worked 
by  ten- 
ants in 

stale. 

842.=).  13 
611.11 
316. 70 
461.40 
239. 64 
405. 3ft 
269. 47 
554.  78 
755. 62 
312. 58 
605. 69 
349. 49 

60+ 
80+ 
48+ 
92+ 
38+ 
72+ 
49  + 
98+ 

134  + 
46  + 

136  + 
42  + 

8754. 49 
818. 87 
454. 86 
489. 32 
671.69 
542. 10 
401.05 
586. 01 
426.  00 
602.  88 
412.03 
683  24 

8134. 20 
196. 55 

78.99 
122. 12 
108. 26 
141.11 

80. 45 
164.11 
238.84 

97.60 
203.14 
122.  77 

3.2 

3.9 

2.4 

4.06 

1.95 

2.8 

2.713 

4.567 

5. 125 

2.133 

6.9 

2. 125 

4.35 

6.8 
2. 967 
4.5 
3.2 
5.4  + 
3.2- 
4.8+ 
3.6- 

3.3  + 
6.1 

6.4  + 

826 
30.5 
20.2+ 

28    t- 
14.5- 
16     + 
21.5+ 
21.8  + 
13     + 
19.8+ 
20     + 
15.4+ 

39  3 

Iowa 

34.9 

2s  6 

Kansas 

35.2 
15.9 

17  3 

30.5 

36  9 

North  Dakota 

Ohio 

8.5 
27.4 

South  Dakota 

21.8 

13.5 

Table  III. — Farm  conditions  in  South  Central  division  of  the  United  States. 


State. 

Annual 
income 
of  each 

farm 
worker.o 

Number 

of  acres 

worked 

by  one 

man. 

Value  of 

buildings 

on  each 

farm. 

Value  of 
imple- 
ments 
and  ma- 
chinery 
on  each 
farm. 

Number 
of  horses 
to  each 
farm  la- 
borer. 

Number 
of  milch 

cows 
to  each 

farm. 

Value  of 

poultry 

on  each 

farm. 

Percent- 
age of 

farms 
worked 
by  ten- 
ants 
in  each 

State. 

8143.  98 

169.  60 
292.  94 
192.57 
21(1.  47 
168. 33 
458. 93 

170.  91 
305.63 

16+ 
20+ 
33+ 
33+ 
16+ 
15+ 
58+ 
24+ 
30+ 

S9.J.  56 
114.13 
102.35 
214. 05 
130. 10 
102. 43 
184.45 
131.64 
172. 66 

823.  40 
32.  25 
64.50 
38.22 
21.23 
26.51 
88.17 
42.85 
52.  01 

0.675 
1.25 
3 

1.6 
1.16 
.9 
3.8 
1.5 
2.8 

1.8 
2.47 
3.5 
1.9  + 
2.85 
2.1  + 
3.5  + 
1.8  + 
3.3  + 

87.36 
9.81 

12.45 
12.8  + 
11.8  + 
8.8  + 
15.8  + 
11       - 
11.8  + 

57.7 

Arkansas 

45.4 

Indian  Territory 

74.9 
32.8 

68 

62.4 

Oklahoma 

21 

Tennessee 

40.6 

49.7 

Table   IV. — Farm   conditions  in  Soutli  Atlantic  division  of  the  United  States. 


State. 


Delaware 

District  of  Columbia 

Florida 

Georgia 

Maryland 

North  Carolina 

South  Carolina 

Virginia 

West  Virginia 


Annual 
income 
of  each 

farm 
worker.o 


8236. 07 


119.72 
158.  69 
243.85 
111',.  75 
144.46 
191.05 
ISO  mi 


Number 
of  acres 
worked 
by  one 
man. 


39+ 
4  + 
17+ 
20+ 
37+ 
18  + 
14  + 
33  + 
30+ 


Value  of 
buildings 

on  each 
farm. 


8940. 56 
6, 493.  62 
175.  87 
115.58 
800. 16 
134.25 
101.17 
219. 11 
239. 25 


[Value  of 
imple- 
ments 
and  ma- 
chinery 
on  each 
farm. 


$17s.  86 
503. 47 
30.43 
24.93 
112.  OS 
23. 24 
23.  51 
29.  81 
33.94 


Number 
of  horses 
to  each 
farm  la- 
borer. 


1.8i 


-68 

.6* 

1.7J 

.6i 

.5 

1.11 

1.8 


Number 

of  milch 

cows  to 

each 

farm. 


4.3 


3.7 
1.9 

4.  + 
1.6+ 
1.5+ 

1.2  + 
2.5+ 


Value  of 

poultry 

on  each 

farm. 


838.4 


11.2 
7.5 

27.4  + 
7.3+ 
6.7- 

12. 2 

11.3+ 


Percent- 
age of 
farms 
worked 
by  ten- 
ants  in 
each 
State. 


50.3 
43.1 
26.  5 
59.9 
33.6 
41.4 
61.1 
30.7 
21.8 


"  The  figures  in  this  column  are  taken  from  the  twelfth  census  report  and  refer  specific- 
ally to  "  each  person,  10  years  of  age  or  over,  engaged  in  agriculture." 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  average  value  of  farm  buildings  and 
farm  machinery  for  each  farm  as  given  in  these  tables  for  each  State 
differs  from  that  given  by  the  census  of  1900.     The  explanation  is 

[Cir.  21] 


FARMERS     COOPERATIVE    DEMONSTRATION    WORK.  / 

that  in  the  census  enumerations  the  value  of  the  buildings  on  a  single 
farm,  whether  Large  or  small,  is  given  in  one  sum  and  doe-  not  there 
t'on-  tell  how  the  laborer  is  housed,  for  in  ihi^  sum  may  be  included 
the  value  of  10  or  50  bouses,  as  is  generally  the  case  on  very  large 
farms,  especiall]  in  the  South.  The  same  rule  applies  to  implements. 
For  our  purpose  the  average  of  buildings  and  implements  on  the 
smaller  farms  was  taken,  so  as  to  determine  how  one  family  lives  and 
what  implements  it  uses;  bul  in  every  State  enough  farm-  were  in- 
cluded in  the  estimates  to  make  a  majority  of  the  farm-  of  that  State. 

h  should  be  home  in  mind  that  these  tables  represenl  conditions 
in  1900.  Since  that  time  rural  prosperity  has  been  greater  than  in 
any  former  period  of  American  bistory.  Undoubtedly  the  next 
census  will  show  marked   improvements. 

Tables  1  to  IV  show  the  value  of  the  buildings  on  each  farm 
worked  by  one  family:  the  value  of  the  implements  and  farm  ma- 
chinery; the  value  of  poultry  and  the  average  number  of  cows  to  the 
farm;  the  number  of  horses  (or  mule-)  for  each  laborer;  the  number 
of  acres  each  laborer  tills  and  the  amount  he  produces  annually  in 
value,  and  the  percentage  of  farms  worked  by  tenants  in  each  State. 
These  tables  -how  the  condition  of  the  bousing  of  families  and  stock 
in  the  Southern  State-,  the  farm  equipment  provided  to  do  the  work, 
the  amount  of  work  accomplished,  and  the  annual  earnings,  which 
fully  accounts  for  the  condition  of  schools,  roads,  and  churches  in  the 
country.  The  average  income  is  scarcely  sufficient  to  maintain  the 
civilization  now  existing,  ignoring  progress  and  these  facts  do  not 
present  the  whole  truth  of  the  situation. 

Quite  a  percentage  of  the  -mall  farmers  still  owe  on  their  farms. 
Prior  to  L905  the  percentage  of  these  in  some  Stales  amounted  to 
three- fourth-  of  the  whole;  since  that  date  there  has  been  considerable 
decrease. 

Nearly  all  the  tenant  farmers  of  the  South  and  a  large  proportion 
of  the  farm  owner-  have  been  working  their  lands  by  securing  annu- 
ally advance-  from  the  merchants,  thus  paying  from  20  to  7.~>  per 
cent  more  for  their  supplies  than  under  a  cash  system.  This  situ- 
ation is  rapidly  improving. 

SOME  REFORMS  NEEDED  IN  RURAL  LIFE. 

For  the  improvement  of  rural  life  many  things  are  needed: 

The  improvement  of  country  schools,  or.  rather,  the  establish- 
ing of  real  schools  for  the  country.  Many  Leading  educators  believe 
that  the  country  school  has  yet  to  he  conceived  and  established.  Tt 
ha-  Keen  -aid  with  great  force  that  "the  exifting  country  schools  are 
Inn  poorly  equipped  city  schools  Located  in  the  country." 

(2)   Counts    or  district    agricultural    schools,   mi    which   the   main 

work  shall  he  to  impart   knowledge  that   tend-  to  make  the  successful 
[Ctr.  21] 


8  FARMERS*   COOPERATIVE   DEMONSTRATION    WORK. 

farmer  and  the  good  citizen  and  to  give  a  training  to  youth  adapted 
to  rural  life,  in  sympathy  with  toil  and  in  love  with  the  farm. 

Several  States  have  taken  the  initiative  in  establishing  such  schools. 
It  is  believed  by  their  friends  and  hoped  by  all  that  they  may  lead  to 
a  solution  of  the  problem  of  the  best  education  for  rural  life. 

(3)  It  is  also  desirable  that  text-books  in  country  schools  shall  have 
for  illustrative  material  incidents  and  experiences  drawn  mainly  from 
rural  life  instead  of  from  commerce,  politics,  diplomacy,  and  war. 

(4)  It  will  doubtless  be  found  advantageous  at  times  to  cooperate 
in  buying  and  selling,  in  borrowing  money,  etc. 

(5)  The  proper  valuation  of  property  as  a  basis  of  taxation  to 
establish  and  maintain  rural  betterments  should  be  considered. 

.  All  the  improvements  required  in  rural  life  we  see  and  realize. 
The  purpose  of  this  publication,  however,  is  to  call  attention  to  a 
reform  which  is  fundamental  to  all  these  things  and  which  must 
necessarily  precede  them,  logically  and  chronologically. 

THE  REMEDY   OFFERED  BY   THE   FARMERS'   COOPERATIVE 
DEMONSTRATION  WORK. 

What  primary  remedy  for  the  improvement  of  rural  conditions 
ought  a  republic  to  propose  where  all  the  adult  male  citizens  are  ex- 
pected to  exercise  through  the  ballot  the  functions  of  a  ruler?  Evi- 
dently it  should  be  one  that  can  directly  and  immediately  benefit  all 
the  people.  More  than  nine-tenths  of  the  rural  population  of  the 
South  are  limited  by  their  conditions  to  an  education  provided  by  the 
country  district  school.  What  help  can  be  given  them  that  will  be  im- 
mediate and  will  benefit  both  parents  and  children?  It  must  be  such 
that  it  will  reach  the  farm  and  appeal  to  the  interests  of  the  farmer. 
It  must  find  the  man  and  not  compel  the  man  to  find  it.  It  must  be  a 
home  remedy. 

The  only  remedy  that  can  be  successfully  applied  to  help  all  the 
rural  people,  one  that  will  be  effective  and  immediate,  is  to  increase 
the  net  earnings  of  farmers  and  farm  laborers.  The  paramount 
issue  now  is  how  most  wisely  and  effectively  to  aid  all  the  rural 
people.  If  each  farmer  is  shown  how  to  produce  twice  as  much  to 
the  acre  as  he  now  produces  and  at  less  cost,  it  will  be  a  profit  in 
which  all  rural  classes  will  share  and  will  be  the  basis  of  the  greatest 
reform  ever  known  to  rural  life. 

How  can  the  knowledge  of  better  agricultural  methods  be  conveyed 
to  the  masses  in  a  way  so  effective  that  the  methods  will  be  accepted 
and  their  practice  become  common?  For  many  years  the  United 
States  Department  of  Agriculture,  the  agricultural  colleges,  the  ex- 
periment stations,  the  agricultural  press,  the  farmers'  institutes,  and 
the  national  and  State  bulletins  upon  agriculture  have  thrown  light 

I  fir.  21  | 


farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work.  '.) 

upon  almost  every  topic  relating  to  the  farm.  These  have  been  of 
<riv.it  assistance  to  farmers  who  are  alerl  and  progressive,  bul  the 
masses,  especially  in  the  South,  have  scarcely  been  affected.  There 
came  a  time  under  cotton-boll  weevil  conditions  when  it  was  found 
necessary  to  reach  and  influence  the  poorer  class.  The  cooperative 
demonstration  plan  was  then  tested. 

The  Fanners'  Cooperative  Demonstration  Work  aims  at  several 
things : 

(1)  To  reform  agriculture  and  make  it  an  occupation  of  profit  and 
pleasure. 

(:_')  To  improve  rural  conditions. 

(3)  To  broaden  and  enrich  rural  life. 

(4)  To  make  the  farm  attractive  and  country  residence  desirable. 

ORGANIZATION    OF  Tins  8PECIAL    WORK. 

As  organized  under  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry  the  working 
forces  of  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration  Work  con 
now  of  1  director  with  assistants,  LO  State  agent-,  and  188  district 
and  local  agent-.  Local  agent-  must  be  practical  fanners  and 
thoroughly  instructed  in  their  duties  by  the  State  and  district  agents. 
Semiannually  State  meetings  of  agent-  are  called  for  instruction, 
at  which  the  director  or  an  assistant  from  Washington  is  present. 
Weekly  report-  showing  work  accomplished  each  day  are  made  by 
all  agents  to  the  director. 

The  campaigns  for  the  ensuing  year  are  planned  in  September,  and 
active  work  commences  in  October  by  calling  public  meetings  in  every 
district  to  be  worked,  at  which  is  shown  the  great  advantage  to  all 
the  people  of  increasing  the  crop  yield  two.  three,  or  four  fold,  and  it 
is  made  clear  that  thi-  can  lie  done  by  adopting  better  methods.  In 
country  villages  the  banker,  the  merchant,  and  the  editor  join  with 
the  leading  farmers  of  the  section  in  indorsing  the  progressive  plans 
of  the  demonstration   work:     farmers  agree  to   follow   instructions, 

and   del istration    plot-  of  one  or  more   acres   are   located   so   as   to 

place  a  -ample  of  the  best  farming  in  each  neighborhood  of  a  county 
or  district.  There  must  be  enough  of  these  to  allow  every  farmer 
to  -ee  one  or  more  during  the  crop-growing  period.  The  necessary 
work  on  the  plot  musl  be  done  by  tin'  farmer  and  not  by  a  Govern- 
ment agent,  because  the  whole  object  Lesson  is  thereby  brought  closer 
to  the  people.  The  demonstrating  farmer  understands  it  better  be 
cause  he  does  the  work  and  his  neighbors  believe  that  what  he  has 
done  they  can   do. 

INS!  III   (    MoN     ,)1       I  111      I    \KMER. 

Bach    month   during   the   season    instructions   are   s,>nt    to   every 
demonstrator  and  cooperator,  clearly  outlining  the  plan  for  man 
61904 — Clr.  •-'!     "s     —2 


10  farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work. 

ing  the  crop.  In  addition  a  local  agent  is  expected  to  call  on  each 
demonstrating  farmer  monthly  and  explain  anything  not  understood 
in  the  instructions. 

FIELD  SCHOOLS. 

Previous  notice  hy  letter  is  given  to  all  the  cooperating  fanners 
(such  as  are  instructed  in  the  work  and  agree  to  follow  instructions) 
in  a  neighborhood  to  meet  the  agent  on  a  certain  date  at  a  given 
demonstration  farm,  where  the  crop  and  plans  are  thoroughly  dis- 
cussed. This  is  called  a  "  field  school  "  and  has  been  marvelously 
effective  in  arousing  local  interest.  At  such  meetings  and  on  all 
occasions  where  the  agents  meet  farmers,  the  following  fundamental 
requirements  for  good  farming  are  discussed  by  the  aid  of  notes  sent 
out  from  the  central  office : 

(1)  Prepare  a  deep  and  thoroughly  pulverized  seed  bed,  well 
drained;  break  in  the  fall  to  the  depth  of  8,  10,  or  12  inches,  accord- 
ing to  the  soil,  with  implements  that  will  not  bring  too  much  of  the 
subsoil  to  the  surface.  The  foregoing  depths  should  be  reached 
gradually. 

(2)  Use  seed  of  the  best  variety,  intelligently  selected  and  carefully 
stored. 

(3)  In  cultivated  crops  give  the  rows  and  the  plants  in  the  rows 
a  space  suited  to  the  plant,  the  soil,  and  the  climate. 

(4)  Use  intensive  tillage  during  the  growing  period  of  the  crops. 

(5)  Secure  a  high  content  of  humus  in  the  soil  b}-  the  use  of 
legumes,  barnyard  manure,  farm  refuse,  and  commercial  fertilizers. 

(G)   Carry  out  a  systematic  crop  rotation  with  a  winter  cover  crop. 

(7)  Accomplish  more  work  in  a  day  by  using  more  horsepower 
and  better  implements. 

(8)  Increase  the  farm  stock  to  the  extent  of  utilizing  all  the  waste 
products  and  idle  lands  of  the  farm. 

(9)  Produce  all  the  food  required  for  the  men  and  animals  on 
the  farm. 

(10)  Keep  an  account  of  each  farm  product,  in  order  to  know 
from  which  the  gain  or  loss  arises. 

In  the  course  of  these  discussions  it  has  often  developed  that  the 
majority  of  small  farmers  had  never  fully  complied  with  any  of  these 
rules.  They  thought  they  knew  all  about  farming  and  charged  their 
small  product  and  failures  to  the  seasons  or  the  land.  One  farmer 
at  a  public  meeting  in  Alabama  this  year  expressed  his  views  as 
follows:  "I  was  born  in  a  cotton  field  and  have  worked  cotton  on 
my  farm  for  more  than  forty  years.  I  thought  no  one  could  tell  me 
anything  about  raising  cotton.  I  had  usually  raised  one-half  a  bale 
on  my  thin  soil  and  I  thought  that  was  all  the  cotton  there  was  in  it 
in  one  season.  The  demonstration  agent  came  along  and  wanted  me 
[Clr.  J I  ] 


FARMERS'    COOPERATIVE    DEMONSTRATION    WORK.  11 

to  try  his  plan  on  two  acres.  Not  to  be  contrary,  I  agreed,  but  I  <lid 
not  believe  what  he  told  me.     However,  1  tried  my  best  to  do  as  he 

said,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year  I  had  a  bale  and  a  half  to  the  acre 
on  the  two  acres  worked  his  way  and  a  little  over  a  third  of  a  bale 
on  the  land  worked  my  way.  You  could  have  knocked  me  down  with 
a  feather.  This  year  I  have  a  bale  and  a  half  to  the  acre  on  my  whole 
farm.  If  you  do  not  believe  it.  I  invite  you  to  go  down  and  see. 
Yes,  sir;  a-  a  good  cotton  planter  T  am  just  one  year  old." 

These  field  schools  are  bringing  about  a  revolution.  A  meeting  of 
the  farmers  of  a  township  called  at  a  home  to  discuss  a  field  crop  and 
to  inspect  and  compare  home  conditions  can  not  fail  to  place  local 
public  opinion  upon  a  higher  level,  and  that  is  the  principal  opinion 
to  be  considered  in  influencing  the  farmer. 

Instead  of  expending  time  and  force  in  molding  State,  city,  and 
count}*  influences  which  have  but  slight  practical  results  in  changing 
rural  conditions,  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration  Work 
makes  a  direct  attack  on  the  men  who  should  reform.  It  reaches 
them  in  a  practical  way  and  establishes  a  different  local  standard  of 
excellence  for  farming  and  for  living. 

The  initial  move  i>  an  aroused  public  sentiment  in  favor  of  doing 
better. 

INSTIU  CTION   CONFINED  TO  A   FEW  ESSENTIAL  SUBJECTS. 

It  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  confine  the  work  to  a  few  stand- 
ard crops  and  the  instruction  to  the  basic  methods  and  principles 
which  stand  for  the  best  results  and  to  repeat  this  line  of  instruction 
on  every  occasion  until  every  farmer  works  according  to  some  system 
and  knows  the  methods  that  make  for  succe>-  instead  of  charging 
failure  to  the  moon,  to  the  season,  to  the  soil,  or  to  bad  luck.  It 
requires  several  year-  to  so  impress  these  teachings  upon  the  masses, 
even  when  supported  by  demonstration,  that  they  become  the  general 
custom  of  the  country.  The  first  j-ear  a  few  try  the  plan  on  small 
areas;  the  second  year  these  greatly  enlarge  the  area  and  some  of 
their  neighbors  follow  their  example;  the  third  year  possibly  10  or 
50  per  cent  a*lopt  some  of  the  methods,  and  so  work  progresses  by 
the  force  of  demonstration  and  public  opinion  until  its  general  adop- 
tion w  secured.  Xo  one  is  asked  i(l  believe  anything  not  clearly 
proved. 

SPECIAL    1KAH  RES    ol'    THE    WORK. 

In  most  of  the  Southern  States  die  average  farmer  works  with 
one  mule.  The  cultivation  of  cotton  and  corn  is  a  slow  process;  too 
much  of  it  is  done  with  the  hoe. 

To  remedy  this,  report  is  had  to  demonstration.  The  agent  in 
soiiH1  cases  drives  a  team  ol'  strong  mules  or  horses  hitched  10  a  wagon 

U'lr.  21] 


12  farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work. 

filled  with  improved  implements.  At  the  field  meetings  this  team 
and  the  improved  implements  are  used  to  show  how  much  more  and 
how  much  better  work  can  be  done  in  a  day  by  having  good  equip- 
ment. It  is  especially  emphasized  that  cotton  and  corn  should  be 
grown  without  using  the  hoe,  thus  saving  one-third  the  expense.  It 
will  be  noted  that  the  earning  capacity  of  each  worker  upon  a  farm 
is  almost  directly  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  horses  or  mules 
for  the  use  of  each.  This  is  startlingly  true  outside  of  the  rice, 
sugar-cane,  and  market-garden  districts.  In  North  Dakota  each 
farm  worker  has  five  horses,  cultivates  135  acres,  and  has  an  earning 
capacity  of  $755.62  yearly ;  in  Iowa  each  laborer  has  four  horses,  tills 
80  acres  of  land,  and  earns  $611.11  annually;  while  in  Alabama  each 
farm  laborer  has  three-fifths  of  a  mule,  works  15  acres,  and  earns 
$113.98.  In  the  case  of  tenant  farmers  the  earning  capacity  (which 
is  the  total  product  of  any  crop  in  the  State  divided  by  the  number 
of  workers)  should  be  divided  approximately  by  2. 

One  of  the  conditions  of  securing  a  greater  net  income  is  to  stop 
buying  food  products  and  live  on  what  the  farm  supplies.  If  greater 
variety  is  wanted,  produce  it.  Another  condition  is  to  accomplish 
more  in  a  day. 

EFFECT   OF    THE    WORK    ON    THE    FARMER. 

Every  step  is  a  revelation  and  a  surprise  to  the  farmer.  He  sees 
his  name  in  the  county  paper  as  one  of  the  farmers  selected  by  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  to  conduct  demonstration 
work ;  he  receives  instructions  from  Washington ;  he  begins  to  be 
noticed  by  his  fellow-farmers ;  his  better  preparation  of  the  soil 
pleases  him;  he  is  proud  of  planting  the  best  seed  and  having  the 
best  cultivation.  As  the  crop  begins  to  show  vigor  and  excellence  his 
neighbors  call  attention  to  it,  and  finally  when  the  demonstration 
agent  calls  a  field  meeting  at  his  farm  the  farmer  begins  to  be  im- 
pressed not  only  with  the  fact  that  he  has  a  good  crop,  but  that  he  is 
a  man  of  more  consequence  than  he  thought.  This  man  that  was 
never  noticed  before  has  had*  a  meeting  called  at  his  farm;  he  con- 
cludes that  he  is  a  leader  in  reforms.  Immediately  the  brush  begins 
to  disappear  from  the  fence  corners  and  the  weeds  from  the  fields; 
the  yard  fence  is  straightened;  whitewash  or  paint  goes  on  the  build- 
ings; the  team  looks  a  little  better  and  the  dilapidated  harness  is 
renovated.  Finally  the  crop  is  made  and  a  report  about  it  appears 
in  the  county  papers.  It  produces  a  sensation.  A  mooting  is  called 
by  the  neighbors  and  the  farmer  is  made  chairman;  he  receives 
numerous  inquiries  about  his  crop  and  is  invited  to  attend  a  meeting 
at  the  county  seat  to  tell  how  he  did  it. 

He  made  a  great  crop,  but  the  man  grow  faster  than  the  crop. 
There  can  be  no  reform  until  the  man  begins  to  grow,  and  the  only 
[Clr.  21] 


FARMERS'   COOPEKATIV]     DEMONSTRATION    WO]  13 

possible  way  for  him  to  grow  is  by  achievement     doing  something  of 
which  he  is  proud.     He  is  ;i  common  farmer.     What  line  of  achieve 
menl  is  open  to  him  but  doing  better  work  and  securing  greater  re- 
sults on  his  own  farm?     A-  soon  as  the  man  begins  to  grow  he  will 
work  for  every  rural  betterment. 

In  the  Southern  States  nearlj  one-half  of  the  farms  are  tilled 
under  the'  tenant  system.  In  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  AJabama, 
Mississippi,  and  Louisiana  more  than  60  per  cent  of  the  farms  are 
worked  by  tenants.  The  poor  equipment  of  Mich  farms  and  the 
low  earning  capacity  of  the  tenant  appeal  strongly  for  help. 

The  tenant  is  urged  by  the  demonstration  agent  to  make  a  better 
crop  and  raise  everything  necessary  for  his  support.  lie  is  shown 
that  as  soon  as  lie  proves  himself  to  be  a  progressive  and  thrifty 
farmer  it  will  add  to  hi-  credit.  He  can  then  buy  upon  better  terms 
and  will  soon  own  a  farm.  The  landlord  is  seen  and  urged  to  look 
more  closely  after  his  farm;  to  improve  his  farm  buildings,  because, 
this  is  necessary  to  the  securing  and  retention  of  the  best  tenant-:  to 
furnish  better  implement-  or  assist  his  tenant  to  purchase  them:  and 
to  insist  that  good  seed  -hall  l»e  used  and  that  there  -hall  he  better 
tillage  of  the  crop.  .Many  proprietors  take  the  deepest  interest  in 
having  their  tenants  taught  better  methods.  They  call  meetings  and 
scatter  farm  literature,  thus  creating  a  sentiment  favorable  to  the 
demonstration  work. 

in  RAL   IMPROVEMENT  Till:    \  ATI  RAL   REST   I  T  or  nils   WORK. 

The  agents  of  the  demonstration  work  are  thoroughly  drilled  in 
progressive  steps.  When  the  rudiments  of  good  farming  are  mas- 
tered the  farmer  secures  a  greater  income  for  his  labor.  An  im- 
portant part  of  this  greater  net  earning  capacity  i-  good  farm  econ- 
omy and  greater  thrift.  Farm  economy  dictate-  the  production  of 
the  largest  crop  possible  to  the  acre  at  the  least  expenditure  of  money 
and  without  impairing  the  productive  capacity  of  the  -oil.     Ii  also 

ludes  the  planting  of  crop-  of  the  greatest  value  to  the  acre,  pro- 
vided the  cost  of  production  i-  not  proportionately  increased,  and 
it  teaches  a  more  economic  support  of  the  family,  team,  and  stock, 
which  i-  based  upon  home  production  of  all  the  food-  and  forage 
crops  consumed,  for  the  family  more  use  mu-t  he  made  of  milk, 
e  vegetable  garden,  and  fruit-:  for  the  stock  there  should  be 
better  pasture  and  hay.  especially  the  abundant  use  of  legumes. 
Thrift  demand-'  the  proper  housing  id'  family,  teams,  and  tool-,  and 
the  more  economic  expenditure  of  the  greater  gains  of  the  farm  aris- 
ing from  greater  earnings  and  more  economy.  The  only  way  to  suc- 
cessfully attack  such  problems  i-  by  an  example. 

Long-time  customs  can  not  he  overcome  by  writing  a  hook.  One 
might  a-  well  write  a  hook  to  teach  better  sewing.     Poor  farming  i-- 

[Cir.  L'l] 


14  farmers'  COOPERATIVE   DEMONSTRATION    WOfiK. 

the  natural  result  of  a  lot  of  bad  practices  and  must  be  treated  rather 
as  a  defect  in  art  than  a  lack  of  intelligence.  It  is  not  assumed,  nor 
is  it  the  intention  to  assert,  that  agriculture  is  not  one  of  the  greatest 
of  sciences,  but  at  the  beginning  it  must  be  treated  as  an  art  and  the 
best  methods  adopted. 

Then  it  is  shown  that  this  greater  income  should  be  applied  to  the 
reduction  of  debt,  the  betterment  of  the  family  and  the  home,  and 
the  improvement  of  rural  conditions.  Cooperation  is  then  taught  in 
buying  and  selling,  but  cooperation  is  of  little  avail  in  buying  if  the 
farmer  has  no  money,  and  it  is  impossible  in  selling  if  his  crop  is 
mortgaged  for  advances. 

The  fundamental  basis  of  the  work  of  the  Department  of  Agri- 
culture is  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  farmer. 

If  there  is  a  better  variety  of  cotton  seed  in  Georgia  or  Texas,  then 
the  other  cotton-producing  States  should  immediately  have  the  bene- 
fits. This  is  precisely  such  work  as  the  Farmers1  Cooperative  Dem- 
onstration Work  is  doing  in  the  South.  It  has  been  instrumental  in 
the  introduction  annually  of  100,000  to  500,000  bushels  of  better  cot- 
ton seed.  This  has  resulted  not  only  in  a  large  income  in  yield  per 
acre,  but  an  improvement  in  the  staple. 

These  better  varieties  of  cotton  seed  are  of  earlier  maturity  than 
the  old.  This  cotton  is  picked  on  an  average  six  weeks  earlier  in 
the  fall,  which  gives  the  children  six  weeks  more  time  for  school 
and  allows  the  farmer  to  prepare  his  land  for  the  next  season's  crop. 
The  old  plan  was  to  pick  cotton  all  winter.  The  loss  of  cotton  and 
the  lowering  of  the  grade  by  the  winter  rains  made  this  plan  an 
economic  crime,  and  its  debarring  the  children  from  attending  school 
caused  it  to  be  a  social  crime.  These  old  methods  will  soon  be  a 
thing  of  the  past. 

This  is  truly  a  national  work,  and  wherever  put  in  operation  with 
sufficient  intensity  to  influence  public  opinion  these  results  have  rap- 
idly followed : 

(1)  Increased  yield  per  acre. 

(2)  The  purchase  of  more  and  better  horses  or  mules. 

(3)  Great  increase  in  the  use  of  better  implements. 

(4)  General  interest  in  seed  selection  and  the  use  of  best  seed. 

(5)  Home  and  school  improvements. 

(6)  More  months  of  schooling. 

(7)  Better  highways. 

(8)  Increase  of  a  healthy  social  life  in  the  country. 

(9)  Intense  interest  in  agriculture. 

IMPROVED  RURAL   CONDITIONS  ALREADY   ESTABLISHED. 

While  the  state  agents  of  the  Farmers1  Cooperative  Demonstration 
Work  were  in  Washington,  September  1,  1908,  arranging  some  details 

[Cir.  21] 


FARMERS*  COOPERATIVE    DEMONSTRATION    WORK.  15 

of  their  work  for  the  year  L908-9,  they  called  upon  Secretary  Wilson, 
and  in  response  to  inquiries  made  by  him  the  following  fads  were 
brought  out : 

Mr.  T.  ( ).  Sandy,  of  Burkeville,  Va.,  State  agent,  reported  that  the 
demonstration  work  was  commenced  in  Virginia  in  January,  1907. 
Qp  to  this  time  it  has  been  exclusively  conducted  in  the  counties 
south  of  the  .lames  River,  where  tobacco  was  the  staple  cash  crop, 
under  the  effect  of  which  farms  had  deteriorated  in  productive 
capacity  and  value  until  many  were  on  the  market  a  short  time  since 
;ii  $5  to  $8  an  acre.  Most  of  the  hay  and  corn  for  the  work  animals 
was  imported.  Two  hundred  and  thirty-two  thousand  dollars"  worth 
of  hay  was  imported  within  a  radius  of  a  few  miles  of  Burkeville  in 
one  year  for  home  consumption.  The  average  yield  of  corn  was  5 
to  in  bushels  an  acre.  Last  year  on  Mr.  Sandy's  demonstration  farm 
i he  yield  was  4  to  <>  tons  of  hay.  or  7.~>  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre. 

One  of  the  demonstrators  raised  85  bushels  of  corn  an  acre.  The 
effect  of  these  yields  was  to  increase  the  number  of  demonstration 
farms  from  twenty-seven  last  year  to  nearly  twelve  hundred  this  year 
ami  to  stop  the  importation  of  hay  just  as  fast  as  lamb  can  be  pre- 
pared and  seeded  to  grass.  Nearly  all  lands  about  Burkeville  have 
doubled  in  value  and  some  advanced  threefold  since  the  demonstra- 
tion work  commenced.  A>  soon  as  the  farmers  found  thevT  could 
produce  hay  and  corn  profitably  they  wanted  to  engage  in  dairying 
and  stock  raising  so  as  to  use  their  idle  lands.  A  creamery  ami  an 
ice  plant  have  been  built  this  season  at  Burkeville.  with  the  guaranty 
of  a  business  requiring  a  thousand  cows,  the  bank  there  advancing 
funds  to  purchase  many  of  the  cows,  while  commercial  dairies  are 
springing  up  in  adjoining  counties.  This  has  had  an  immediate 
effed  on  the  improvement  of  home  conditions,  because  the  estimate 
of  farm  life  has  changed.  It  had  been  thought  that  farming  in  Vir- 
ginia could  not  be  made  profitable.  Many  fanners  moved  away  and 
nearly  all  ceased  to  spend  much  money  in  farm  improvements.  As 
soon  as  they  saw  the  demonstration  work  they  commenced  to  improve. 
Eleven  farmer-  in  one  section  put  hot-water  heating  and  sanitary 
closets  into  their  houses  the  past   season. 

Mr.  W.  F.  Proctor,  of  Tyler.  Tex.,  in  charge  of  the  demonstration 
work  in  eastern  Texas,  said  that  his  territory  includes  about  sixty 
counties — all  infested  with  the  boll  weevil.  The  soil  is  niainh  a 
Bandy  loam,  well  drained  and  well  wooded,  making  an  ideal  section 
for  the  hibernation  of  the  weevil.  The  weevil  has  caused  such  loss 
of  cotton  in  Harrison  County.  Tex.,  that  the  crop  in  1906  was  less 
than  one-fourth  the  normal  quantity.  Cotton  being  the  principal 
cash  crop,  general  depression  followed;  some  farm-  were  abandoned 
and  a  general  abandonment  by  tenant-  was  threatened.  An  appeal 
was  made  to  establish  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration  Work 

[Clr.  21] 


16  farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work. 

m  Harrison  County  in  an  intensive  way.  The  people  were  asked  to 
raise  money  for  improved  seed.  They  raised  $1,000.  and  later  in- 
creased the  amount  to  $1,700.  An  agent  was  sent  to  the  county,  and 
300  demonstration  farms  were  established.  Last  year,  though  ex- 
ceedingly unfavorable  for  cotton,  the  increased  yield  over  1906  was 
3,500  bales,  and  this  year  under  the  general  adoption  of  the  system 
the  increase  is  over  10,000  bales,  or  a  gain  of  $748,000  in  value,  in- 
cluding seed,  for  the  year  in  one  county. 

At  Sulphur  Springs,  Hopkins  County,  there  has  been  a  similar 
experience  this  season.  The  county  agent,  Mr.  W.  L.  Bryson, 
located  demonstration  farms  along  the  main  highways  leading  to 
Sulphur  Springs  for  4  or  5  miles  out,  so  that  every  farmer  entering 
the  city  could  not  fail  to  observe  them.  Prominent  citizens  esti- 
mated the  value  of  his  work  this  year  at  $250,000  for  the  county. 
This  better  financial  condition  resulted  in  many  improvements  in 
homes  and  schools. 

All  present  agreed  in  stating  that  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Dem- 
onstration Work  wTas  readily  accepted  by  the  farmers  and  aroused 
among  them  intense  interest  in  agriculture,-  especially  where  field 
schools  were  held  and  the  plan  of  the  boys'  corn  and  cotton  clubs  was 
carried  out. 

The  agents  emphasize  the  great  gains  in  crops  under  the  system  of 
farming  taught  in  the  demonstration  work,  and  state  that  the  im- 
mediate effect  of  these  increased  earnings  is  to  better  the  conditions 
of  the  farm  and  of  rural  life  generally,  particular  stress  being  laid 
upon  the  following: 

(1)  Better  seed  and  some  plan  for  rotation  of  crops. 

(2)  Better  teams  and  implements. 

(3)  Reduction  of  debts. 

(4)  Ownership  of  land. 

(5)  Improvement  of  home — more  comfortable  and  neater  cloth- 
ing; more  fruit;  farm  canning  outfits  in  many  cases,  etc. 

(6)  More  months  of  schooling. 

(7)  General  cooperation  in  improvement  of  farm  stock,  etc. 
Instances  were  cited  where  a  single   demonstration  showed   the 

farmers  in  the  Yazoo  Delta  how  they  could  increase  their  yield  of 
corn  from  14  to  70  bushels  an  acre  without  additional  expense,  and 
where  a  single  small  farmer  saved  $500  last  year  in  commercial  fertil- 
izers from  information  derived  from  an  agent  in  the  demonstration 
work. 

Many  farmers  are  nowT  working  cotton  without  the  use  of  the  hoe 
or  plow.  Mr.  Bamberg  brought  out  this  fact  clearly  and  showed  its 
great  economic  importance. 

Mr.  Savely  called  attention  to  the  effect  of  field  schools,  stating 
that  they  were  very  influential  in  promoting  home  improvements  and 

[Cir.  21 J 


farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work.  17 

thai  such  schools  were  occasionally  held  on  farms  of  colored  men  as 
well  as  white. 

Mr.  R.  S.  Wilson  gave  an  illustration  of  the  rapidity  -with  which 
practical  information  along  agricultural  linos  spreads  through  a 
district.  As  the  result  of  ten  months'  work  in  Congressman  Hbbs< 
district  a  majority  of  the  farmers  were  tilling  their  lands  better; 
they  were  raising  more  corn  and  forage  crops  and  many  had  adopted 
the  Department  plan  of  seed  selection. 

Mr.  .1.  L.  Quicksall  spoke  id'  the  great  improvement  in  agriculture 
ami  the  betterment  of  rural  conditions  in  central  Texas  since  the 
demonstration  work  commenced. 

Dr.  S.  A.  Knapp  stated  that  the  southern  people  were  awake.  In 
a  number  of  State-  the  patriotic  women  are  forming  rural  improve 
ment  cluh-  for  the  betterment  of  home  conditions.  In  North  Caro- 
lina they  put  a  model  kitchen  on  a  car  and  sent  it  about  the  State. 
Congressmen  are  interested  and  are  calling  for  agricultural  speaker  . 
It  has  been  the  general  custom  of  southern  farmers,  whether  in  cot- 
ton, sugar,  rice,  or  tobacco  districts,  to  depend  on  one  cash  crop  and 
buy  their  supplies  of  food  and  clothing  with  the  proceeds.  This 
i-  rapidly  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past.  All  of  our  agents  urge  the 
production  upon  the  farm  of  all  home  supplies  possible.  The  result  is 
that  the  money  which  formerly  went  for  current  debts  not*  goes  into 
home  improvements,  better  clothing,  better  stock,  and  more  schooling. 

The  earlier  maturing  cotton  introduced  ami  made  common  by  our 
agents  allow-  six  weeks  more  schooling  annually  for  the  children. 
Rural  improvement  requires  considerable  expenditure  of  money, 
which  must  he  provided  by  the  farmers  through  an  increase  in  the 
products  of  the  farm  with  a  decrease  in  their  cost. 

A  Large  number  of  inquiries  were  sent  out  to  ascertain  the  present 
conditions  in  the  South  and  the  effect  of  the  I'anuer-"  Cooperative 
Demonstration  Work.  The  reports  all  -how  great  improvement  in 
rural  condition-. 

Without  exception  they  fully  corroborate  the  claim  made   for  the 
Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration  Work.    Out  of  the  hundreds  <>f 
replies  received,  the  following  from  a  live  worker  in  Texas  is  pre 
sented  as  typical  in  showing  the  general  tenor  of  the  report-  made: 

Gidd]  ffos,  Ti  \..  September  .'/,  1908. 

Dbab  Sib:  Growing  nm  of  my  efforts  and  the  example  and  moral  support  of 

the  business  men.  thirty  cream  separators  have  been  boughl   by  the  farmers 

an. unci  here.     Over  Si'.oon  lias  been  invested  in  good  milch  stock    (one  $400  bull 

from  another  pan  of  the  state  bas  been  shipped  into  tin-  countj  i.  and  about 

■S" worth  of  cream  per  month  finds  Its  way  to  the  creameries.     People  all 

over  tin'  county  are  planting  winter  forage  crops  and  besieging  me  for  all  kinds 
id'  Information.  Every  one  of  these  people  is  securing  some  good  pigs  p>  dispose 
nf  the  milk. 


18  farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work. 

Two  business  men  have  volunteered  to  put  in  a  creamery  just  as  soon  as  there 
is  cream  enough  to  justify  it.  They  would  do  it  now  if  I'd  let  them,  but  it  is 
best  to  wait  a  while.  Prior  to  March  1  of  this  year  there  was  not  a  separator 
in  this  county. 

A  majority  of  our  German  farmers  are  very  thrifty  and  have  a  good  garden. 

All  lands  in  this  section  are  fenced.  Possibly  one-half  of  1  per  cent  have  hog 
pastures  of  any  size. 

Corn  is  selling  on  the  streets  at  from  40  to  50  cents  per  bushel  and  hay  from 
$5  to  $10  per  ton,  with  plenty  offering.  People  tell  me  that  $20  for  hay  and 
75  cents  for  corn  have  been  ruling  prices  until  this  year,  but  the  excellent  season 
accounts  for  this  almost  if  not  as  much  as  the  improved  methods.  Regular 
articles  on  corn  and  feed  crops  were  supplied  the  papers  during  seedtime,  and 
hundreds  of  people  are  cashing  this  advice  now.  Quite  a  few  have  added  to  their 
team  force  and  equipments,  bought  additional  lauds,  etc,  this  year,  but  prior 
to  1908  there  was  not  enough  work  in  any  one  community  to  tell  any  decided 
effects. 

Perhaps  there  has  been  more  good  accomplished  for  the  schools  than  any  other 
outside  item.  Through  addresses  to  summer  normals  and  teachers'  institutes 
and  through  direct  contact  with  schools,  a  general  awakening  is  noticeable 
among  our  county  people.  Probably  not  a  rural  school  in  the  county  of  Lee  but 
will  increase  the  salary,  add  to  the  equipment,  or  lengthen  the  school  term. 
This  may  be  attributed  to  a  combination  of  causes.  We  come  in  for  our  share. 
One  thousand  homes  in  Lee  and  Washington  counties  will  be  invaded  this  winter 
by  bulletins  and  circulars  for  which  the  teachers  are  asking  as  aids  to  the 
teaching  of  agriculture,  which  from  now  on  is  made  mandatory  in  Texas. 
Milam,  Williamson,  Fayette,  Burleson,  and  Bastrop  counties  will  all  ask  for 
these  bulletins  for  their  pupils  in  agriculture. 

Two  German  coach  stallions,  costing  $3,000  each,  and  one  Biltmore  Jersey 
bull,  costing  $400.  have  been  added  to  Lee  County's  list,  and  two  stork  com- 
panies about  completed  will  soon  send  a  buyer  to  Kentucky  or  Tennessee  for  two 
standard-bred  $500  horses.  Over  $1,500  worth  of  milch  cows  have  been  bought — 
most  of  them  from  beyond  the  county — by  farmers  establishing  dairy  herds. 
Any  milch  cow  having  any  milking  qualities  brings  a  good  price  here  now. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  organizing  and  conducting  a  school  of  farmers — men  and 
women — in  the  art  of  canning  corn  and  such  vegetables  as  are  difficult  to  keep. 
One  such  class  was  at  Dime  Box,  in  the  extreme  western  part  of  the  county. 
Much  interest  was  manifested  and  it  took  only  four  days  of  my  time. 

These  are  as  briefly  as  I  can  state  them  the  kindred  but  indirect  results  we 
have  obtained  in  this  county.  The  other  counties  we  have  worked  show  signs 
of  improvement,  but  not  so  marked. 

I  have  no  further  comment.  This  is  a  faithful  recital  of  existing  facts,  which 
speak  for  themselves. 

Respectfully,  yours.  W.  W.  Campbelt- 

BETTERED    CONDITIONS    AMONG    THE  COLORED   PEOPLE. 

It  was  mainly  through  the  influence  of  Dr.  II.  B.  Frissell,  presi- 
dent, Hampton  Institute,  Virginia, .and  Dr.  Booker  T.  Washington, 
president.  Tuskegee  Institute,  Alabama,  that  demonstration  work  was 
inaugurated  for  the  colored. 

Where  large  sections  of  country  are  tilled  mainly  by  colored  farm- 
ers owning  their  lands  it  seemed  advisable  to  appoint  colored  agents. 
In  Virginia  there  are  four,  in  Alabama  two,  and  in  Mississippi  one. 
[Clr.  i'i) 


FARMERS*    COOPERATIVE    DEMONSTRATION    WORK.  19 

In  nil  other  cases  the  white  agents  look  after  the  colored  farmers  and 
do  it   faithfully. 

In  the  main  the  colored  farmers  respond  as  readily  to  the  demon- 
stration work  as  do  tin-  while-.  In  Alabama  and  Mississippi  the 
colored  agents  are  graduates  of  the  Tuskegee  Institute:  in  Virginia 
they  are  niainU  graduates  or  have  attended  the  Hampton  [nstiti 

In  an  article  in  the  World's  Work  for  duly.  L908,  entitled  "  Teach- 
ing a  man  hi-  job,"  Booker  '1'.  Washington  stated:  "If  I  were  to 
name  a  single  instance  <>!'  tin-  new  policy  of  taking  education  to  the 
man  on  the  job,  an  instance  which  seems  to  tne  more  thoroughgoing 
and  more  fruitful  of  good  than  any  other  of  which  I  know,  I  should 
rd'er  to  the  work  that  the  General  Education  Board  is  doing  in  con 
junction  with  the  Agricultural  Department  of  Washington  in  order 
to  instruct  the  farmers  of  the  South,  by  practical  demonstrations 
on  their  own  farm-,  in  the  newer  and  better  methods  of  cultivating 
the  -oil.  No  other  single  agency,  I  am  sure,  is  destined  to  do  more  in 
the  ta-k  of  creating  the  New  South." 

The  following  report,  selected  from  a  large  number,  is  a  faithful 
presentation  of  the  work  accomplished  among  the  colored  people: 

Tuskegee  Institute,  Ala.,  September  28,  1908. 
Dbab  Sib:   (1)  The  demonstration  work  is  advancing  very  rapidly.     I  feel 
safe  in   saying   that   45   per  cent    is   the   minimum   of   the   farmers   who   have 
adopted  the  intensive  method  of  farming  in  my  territory. 

(2)  The  farmers  in  my  territory  have  come  into  possession  of  bettor  breeds 
of  hogs,  ,-i  better  breed  of  cows,  and  also  for  the  pasl  two  years  they  have  raised 
more  chickens  than  ever  before.  I  am  safe  in  saying  that  prior  to  the  Intro- 
duction of  the  demonstration  work  only  25  per  cent  of  farmers  practiced  the 
above,  and  now  35  per  cent  is  lowest 

(3)  The  Jesup  agricultural  wagon  (a  team  and  wagon  donated  by  Hon. 
.Morris  K.  Jessup,  of  New  York,  for  this  work)  lias  played  a  prominent  pari 
in  the  demonstration  work.  I  lined  up  the  wagon  with  a  portable  garden  and 
drove  to  various  meeting  places,  as  indicated  on  demonstration  map,  and  here 
gave  concrete  Illustrations  of  how  gardens  should  be  made,  a  storekeeper 
informed  me  the  other  Jay  that  he  -old  more  vegetables  for  eating  purposes, 
such  as  cabbage,  potatoes,  peas,  onions,  etc.,  in  three  months  last  year  than 
lie  has  sold  during  all  of  1908.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  in  every  meeting  the 
farmers  are  urged  to  make  better  gardens. 

ill    In   my  territory  the  percentage  of  pasturing  is  very  low.   -ii farmers 

generally  let  their  stock  run  out  after  the  crops  are  gathered  and  "tie  them 
up"  while  the  crops  are  being  made.  Prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  demonstra- 
tion work  there  wen'  about  to  per  cenl  of  pastures.  There  are  now  12  per 
cent. 

lot  The  farmers  in  my  territory  are  just  beginning  to  leave  the  old  rut  of 
buying  corn  ami  hay  to  tide  them  over  the  cultivation  period  of  their  crops. 
Prior  to  the  Introduction  of  the  demonstration  work  the  average  of  farmers 
wlio  raised  enough  corn  to  last  them  through  the  season  was  as  low  as  7  pet- 
rent  ;   now  it  is  about   12. 

(6)  Tlie  small  farmers  are  Bhowlng  a  marked  improvement  in  the  mailer  of 
getting  out  of  debt.  A  fanner  Living  al  Tuskegee,  Ala.,  tells  me  thai  last  year 
It'lr   21] 


3  1262  08928  9671 

20  farmers'  cooperative  demonstration  work. 

was  the  first  time  he  has  ever  gotten  out  of  debt,  and  says  it  is  due  to  the  fact 
that  he  attended  the  farmers'  meetings;  and  another,  at  Notasulga,  Ala.,  sold 
enough  butter,  eggs,  and  vegetables  to  buy  the  necessary  things  from  the  store, 
thereby  saving  the  high  price  charged  for  advancement.  About  10  per  cent  of 
the  farmers  are  out  of  debt.. 

(7)  The  increase  of  teams  has  not  been  so  perceptible,  for  as  a  general  rule 
the  small  farmer  tries  to  keep  a  pretty  good  mule  or  horse,  even  at  the  expense 
of  some  other  very  important  phase  of  farm  management.  But  with  reference 
to  tools  and  farm  machinery,  the  work  has  accomplished  great  results — an 
increase  of  at  least  28  per  cent. 

(8)  The  rural  school  condition  in  my  territory  lias  been  greatly  improved, 
yet  I  find  that  the  schools  which  I  touch  directly  are  some  better  than  the 
average  to  begin  with.  The  early  varieties  of  cotton  have  aroused  great 
enthusiasm;  the  people  all  over  my  territory  have  been  and  are  now  clamoring 
for  new  seed.  Messrs.  E.  W.  and  B.  W.  Washington,  of  Cross  Keys,  Ala.  (both 
demonstrators),  had  picked  over  twenty  bales  of  cotton  by  September  7  from 
seed  introduced  by  the  Department.  Mr.  Jackson  Donner,  of  Warriorstand, 
Ala.,  informs  me  that  every  man  in  his  community  is  trying  to  buy,  borrow, 
or  beg  cotton  of  him. 

('.))  I  have  given  considerable  time  to  the  matter  of  encouraging  the  people 
to  improve  their  live  stock  since  I  have  been  doing  the  demonstration  work. 
I  constructed  a  crate  on  the  Jesup  agricultural  wagon  for  the  purpose  of  carry- 
ing the  best  breeds  of  live  stock,  such  as  Berkshire  and  Poland  China  pijis  and 
Jersey  and  Shorthorn  calves,  to  the  farmers'  meetings  and  showing  them  just 
how  they  could  improve  their  herds.  I  am  glad  to  say  that  the  farmers  have 
purchased  better  live  stock,  especially  Berkshire  hogs,  from  the  Tuskegee  Insti- 
tute and  other  places. 

(10)  The  farmers  are  canning  a  large  quantity  of  fruit  and  vegetables.  At 
the  most  of  our  farmers'  meetings  we  have  had  exhibits  of  home-canned  vege- 
tables and  fruits.     The  increase  is  about  40  per  cent. 

(11)  In  our  community  meetings  we  have  what  is  known  as  the  inspecting 
committee  go  around  and  criticise  the  homes  in  general.  In  this  way  we 
keep  the  subject  of  applying  whitewash  and  paint  ever  before  the  farmers, 
who  are  now  building  better  houses  and  applying"  more  paint  and  whitewash 
than  I  have  ever  known  them  to  do  before. 

(12)  The  effect  of  bettering  the  highways  and  the  construction  of  telephones 
is  not  very  appreciable  as  yet,  but  in  my  territory  there  have  been  more  mail 
boxes  put  up  within  the  past  two  years  than  ever  before.  A  great  many  farmers 
put  them  up  purposely  to  receive  the  mail  from  the  Department. 

(13)  The  degree  in  which  the  tenants  have  been  purchasing  farms  is  capable 
of  being  perceived.  I  recall  to  mind  instances  while  traveling  where  there  was 
no  demonstration  work  where  tenants  sought  information  as  to  the  possibility 
of  buying  farms  within  the  bounds  of  my  territory  in  order  that  they  might 
have  the  advantage  of  the  agricultural  instruction  furnished  by  the  Department. 

T.  M.  Campbell,  District  Agent. 

Approved : 

James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 

Washington,  D.  C,  November  7,  1908. 

[Or.  21] 

O 


